Photographer's Note

Yesterday only one person was interested in the interior of beautiful Otto Wagner's church in Vienna. I was so disappointed. Maybe the picture was not good? So I have deleted the pic and changed the continent :). Nothing happened (sorry Sergio :)). I have other photos. But it is sad that the activity is so low now.

UNESCO just announced its 1000th World Heritage Site—the Okavango Delta in Botswana. The 2.3 million hectare marshy landscape is unique because it floods each year during the dry season. Some of the world's most endangered and beloved species of large mammals live there, including white and black rhinos, lions and cheetahs. All told, around 200,000 species of mammals, 400 types of birds and 70 different fish species live there, making up one of sub-Saharan Africa's most diverse ecosystems. The Okavango Delta is designated as a protected area, but conservationists are hoping that, with the new UNESCO listing, Botswana will up its protection ante, the African Wildlife Foundation says. The listing will likely increase tourist interest in visiting the area, and the revenue those visitors bring could boost the odds of more of the area being declared off-limits to development. More anti-wildlife poaching efforts are also given to protected areas.
The inland Okavango Delta, one of the natural sites selected, doesn't empty into a sea or ocean. The Okavango River floods during bone-dry winter months and is home to the largest elephant population in the world. Flood waters draw buffalo, giraffes, zebras, elephants, lions, cheetahs, rhinoceros, both black and white species, and other animals.
The African delta is vital to hundreds of bird species, fish and plants too that rely on the marshlands and seasonal floods for survival.
One of the unique characteristics of the site is that the annual flooding from the river Okavango occurs during the dry season, with the result that the native plants and animals have synchronised their biological cycles with these seasonal rains and floods," the U.N. World Heritage statement says. (from Internet news)

The are very few photos from this marvelous place. It may seem just marsh land like we have even in Poland, but where you can see very close and in wild elephants and hippos?
We travelled there ECO-friendly. To move around we used these dugout boats - so called mokoros, camped in tents on an uninhabited island, left the place in a state we had coming there. The local people from the villages were our guides and polers (it means, they used long poles when moving the boats). They were very friendly nice guys. Here you can see one of our guides and mokoros full of our camping equipments.

As to UNESCO sites, this is number 1000, the list contains now 1,007 sites in 161 countries. I "collect" the sites, but they escape me. I have visited only 277 places.

Never delete a picture just becouse only one person wrote a critique, Malgo, the only reason for a deletion, to my humble opinion, is when technical details are not satisfactory. How would feel the one person that made his efort to comment ?
Nice sight from Africa , the canue's man face expression is wonderful and picture well taken with the many boats.
Good evening and nice weekend,
Ike

Hello Malgo,
I was about to congratulate you on your 1000th post when I realized you are way ahead of that. So I congratulate Botswana instead. This is a photo I truly appreciate. A human being and local atmosphere, telling us something about the world. Good colours and light and an interesting note. This is what TE always should be like.
I understand your disappointment when a good photo is not appreciated by others. I didn't even see your last one, unfortunately. The activity on TE is very low now. I fear the site is slowly but steadily dying.
Kind regards,
Gert

I'm glad the UNESCO is preserving those places for the future generations. And I wish more people works towards preserving the planet instead of trying to destroy it. Nice capture of this gentleman. Good pov and sharp details. Well done, tfs.

Hello dear Malgo ... An excellent choice to mark the UNESCO announcement and a richly deserved honor for this area of Botswana! A wonderful and unique habitat.

About your last upload, sorry but I haven't been on the site much this week. To be honest and as I mentioned before, it is getting to be rather slow around here and many of the better photographers seem to be here less and less.
Pity!

Hello dear Malgo,
First of all congratulations to your millenium entry !
Secondly congratulations for this great capture from Botswana.
Many interesting and usefull notes makes your entry -as allways- a perfect TE entry !
TFS and have a great weekend
MESUT ILGIM

Hello Malgo,
Many of us will probably believe that this is your 1000th post, which will for sure get you many points in return ! Even if we're not celebrating any record here, I want to congratulate you for this excellent shot of this fisherman in his environment. The natural vegetation included in the background, along with the quiet river, reflects a nice atmosphere. I like the static posture of the fisherman against the serene waters of the river, it creates a calm scene and a sense of harmony between man and nature. Very good exposure giving us great depth of field throughout the shot, with excellent detail in all areas. Perfectly done.
I also noticed some loss of activity on TE, many good photographers have left and are now posting on other competing sites like 500px (KLB, yquem46, xavshot, clio, ricochet, magalik...)
Kind regards,
Christian

Hi Malgo
An interesting post from this place, the second I see of it from you. Normally, the sight of people is a stark contrast to the natural world, but this man seems very at ease in this place. Even his boats look perfectly natural. It gives the impression that there is great respect here for the natural world, and that is very refreshing to see.
thanks as always
Noel

Hello dear friend and have a nice Sunday
I red carefully your useful notes that
yesterday only one person was interested
in the interior of beautiful Otto Wagners
church in Vienna my pinion is that you
must not be disappointed because your
allery is very rich and one of the best
I have ever seen
may be the visitors have no the same
interest and knowledge as you have
the same happened to me many times
but every photo is a personal case
par exemple this one is unique because
here we have the presentation of a different
world interesting view from Africa with
the man looking directly to you
welldone and ready for publishement
you also must know that many from us
never read the useful notes
many wishes for more and more
important photos
regards
Costantino

I know, its actually 1000 Unesco sights :)
and i'm sure you are planning on visiting each and every one of them too :)

and you're so right about TE. There seem to be fewer and fewer posted photos and critiques every day. Such a shame indeed. But lets try and stay positive, there are still a large group of us, and many more may join.

great photo from Botswana, i'm jealous of this scene. Its a wonderful shot to have in your gallery.
cheers
craig

Looks like an excellent way to visit Botswana, and to hear the Oskavango Delta has become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. I would enjoy traveling in a mokoro and camping with Nature here.
Kudos to Botswana and best wishes for more environmental protections.

Hello Malgo,
It sounds like you had a nice camping trip! I must confess, that is not my cup of tea, I prefer sleeping in a bed in an air conditioned room (in hot climates). This is a lovely photo of your mokoros with one of the locals. BTW, the pole on the right looks like a snake.
Natural colors and a great DOF, TFS!
Regards,
MT

I didn't know that activities here is also low. PF was supper slow last month and I was not there much either since I was busy with family.

This is really a good shot with nice details of the all the boats ready to take the tourist out to see the delta. I planned a few times to go here, but It was difficult to make happened. I ended up in Kenya and Tanzania that the time. Maybe in the future still.

is this one of those photos from africa where you shot beyond the border in order to add the land to your list of visited countries? :)) i love the "gertesque" composition and the almost desaturated, pastel colors. botswana? wow, interesting choice...

Hi Malgorzata!
As I'm really late watching the gallery I haven't seen your photo of the church. But I like this one a lot, I miss Africa and I'm trying to return next year. These boats are fabulous and different from what I've seen before and your guide seems proud of them:)! These are always unforgettable experiences. Good shot!